Campground · Saguaro National Park
An oak-shaded creek camp after a long climb into the Rincons.
Overview
Map
Plan your stop
The highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.
Saguaro Tour Guide
Parkwolf is a GPS audio tour guide for Saguaro National Park. As you drive, it chimes in with what’s ahead: hidden gems, upcoming stops, history, geology, and wildlife, right through your car’s speakers.
See the Saguaro audio tour“Fantastic app with many points of information… It’s great to just turn on while you’re driving and it gives you an audio tour of the national Park. We love it!!!!”
Guide
Grass Shack is a three-site backcountry campground in the Saguaro Wilderness of the Rincon Mountains. It is a destination for backpackers: the easiest route from Camino Loma Alta Trailhead is about 10 miles to camp with 2,200 feet of climbing. Reserve a backcountry permit before setting out. Each site is limited to six people.
Large oaks shade this grassy campsite beside Chimenea Creek, the largest watershed in the Rincons. The climb opens southward views above the saguaros, and the camp often avoids winter storms that reach higher parts of the range. Chimenea Creek provides water much of the year, but flow varies. Check current conditions and treat all surface water; the park recommends carrying at least a gallon per person per day.
Wildlife
19 sightingsBlack BearMost seen around 6 AMSighting map
56 sightingsMountain LionMost seen around 6 AMSighting map
266 sightingsMule DeerMost seen around 6 PMSighting map
113 sightingsCollared PeccaryMost seen around 6 PMSighting map
53 sightingsBobcatMost seen around 6 AMSighting map
127 sightingsCoyoteMost seen around 6 PMSighting mapSighting maps show where each species has been reported across Saguaro. Wildlife moves, so no sighting is guaranteed.
Keep exploring
ChallengingCowhead Saddle Trail4 mi · 4.5 hr · 1.4 mi awayFour miles of steep climbing into Saguaro's cool pine backcountry.
ChallengingFire Loop Trail4.9 mi · 4 hr · 2.7 mi awayA pine forest circuit with a windy view back to Tucson
ModerateDevil's Bathtub Trail3.4 mi · 3 hr · 2.7 mi awayA remote 3.4-mile camp-based out-and-back to a small waterfall.
ModerateSpud Rock Loop from Manning Camp2.5 mi · 2 hr · 2.8 mi awayA compact high-country loop to a signed rock overlook.
ModerateNorth Slope Trail2.2 mi · 1.5 hr · 4.6 mi awayA remote high-country link between Italian Spring and Cowhead Saddle.
ChallengingHeartbreak Ridge Trail5.7 mi · 5.5 hr · 4.8 mi awayA remote ridge climb from Happy Valley Saddle to Fire Loop.
ChallengingRincon Creek Trail14.8 mi · 12.5 hr · 4.8 mi awayA remote 14.8-mile backtrack, plus a 3.9-mile approach each way.
ChallengingArizona Trail Passage 9: Rincon Mountains24.3 mi · 16 hr · 4.8 mi awaySaguaros give way to pines after a 6,000-foot climb.
Sight · 2.4 mi awayTanque Verde PeakA rugged summit above Tucson rewards a very long ridge hike.
Sight · 2.8 mi awayManning CabinThe cabin’s 1905 piano arrived by an 11-mile wagon road.
Campground · 2.8 mi awayManning CampA wilderness camp reached after a serious climb into the pines.
Campground · 3.2 mi awayDouglas Spring CampgroundThe lowest wilderness camp still means a 6.5-mile uphill hike.
Campground · 3.2 mi awayJuniper Basin CampgroundA three-site wilderness camp after a 6.9-mile climb.
Sight · 3.8 mi awayMica MountainA high, wooded summit reached by a serious backcountry hike.
Campground · 3.8 mi awaySpud Rock Spring CampgroundA five-mile hike leads to a camp in the Rincon pines.
Sight · 4.5 mi awayBridal Wreath FallsA desert hike to a waterfall that may be dry.Parkwolf’s Saguaro ranking
The audio tour guide for the drive, plus offline maps, trails, and wildlife heatmaps for when the signal drops.
